The government plan to clamp down on unofficial traveller sites

The money will help fund 42 schemes across England and Wales, providing 58 new camps, bringing 44 back into use and refurbishing other sites.

Housing and Planning Minister Yvette Cooper said there was a shortage of traveller sites.

Ms Cooper said the new plans were also linked to measures to prevent unauthorised traveller camps.

The largest schemes include �1.5m for a site at South Liberty Lane, Bristol; �787,500 to a scheme at Hipton Hill, Worcestershire; and a �750,000 project at Stoke Albany, near Kettinger, Northamptonshire.

The cash grants come after the government said local councils had to find suitable locations where there was demand for traveller sites.

New enforcement powers are promised and ministers say councils should use existing measures to prevent fly-tipping and other problems linked to some camps.